Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Key facts

English language requirements

IELTS band score of 7 with no band less than 6.5

Duration

3-years full-time or part-time equivalent

International students are required to study full-time to complete their course within the duration registered on CRICOS.

Locations

Burwood (Melbourne)

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

If you are inspired to teach young children, Deakin’s Bachelor of Early Childhood Education provides you with the opportunity to explore early childhood education curriculum theories and pedagogies, child development, health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, professional studies as well as teaching and learning in discipline areas of literacy, mathematics, science and the arts.

You’ll undertake professional placements through Deakin’s Professional Experience Program gaining both practical knowledge and skills to teach children aged birth to 5 years. By experiencing learning across a range of early childhood settings, you will graduate equipped with the confidence and aptitude to meet the significant growth of the Australian early childhood education sector.

Do you want to start your journey to becoming an early childhood educator?

Fast-track your way to becoming an early childhood teacher with this three-year degree. You may additionally be eligible for an attractive scholarship offered by the Victorian Department of Education and Training for pre-service teachers enrolled in early childhood teaching courses.

Deakin maintains close links with the education sector to ensure our courses are developed and reviewed with professional input. You’ll be taught by experts who have teaching experience and who are recognised as leaders and innovators in their fields. This means you can be confident that what you learn with us will be relevant to your future teaching career.

The Professional Experience Program is a key part of every Deakin teaching student’s course experience. Working with more than 1400 early childhood centres and schools across Australia, we’ll arrange at least 85-days of placements for you in early childhood education and care settings where you’ll learn from experienced early childhood teachers.

Choose to study via our premium online learning platform and have the additional flexibility to balance work, life and study. Studying online is collaborative and engaging, while still allowing you to complete your studies when and where it suits you.

Additionally, the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education is approved by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) as an early childhood teaching qualification in Australia*, and provides students with an approved pathway from the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (previously Diploma of Children’s Services) offered through TAFE. Eligible students may receive up to 8 credit points of recognition for prior learning towards their degree.

*This course is approved by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) as an early childhood teaching qualification in Australia. Graduates of this course who are intending to apply for registration in Victoria or interstate may be required to provide further information.

Award granted: Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Year: 2023 course information
VTAC code: 1400511183 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place
Deakin code: E333
CRICOS code?: 102806B Burwood (Melbourne)
Level: Undergraduate
Approval status: This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition: The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.

Course structure

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, students must complete 24 credit points comprising:

24 credit points of core units;
Academic Integrity AAI018
A maximum of 10 credit points at Level 1
A minimum of 6 credit points at Level 3 or above

This course includes 80-days of supervised professional experience.

Year 1

Child Development 1

ECE110

Curriculum 1: Pedagogies and Play

ECE111

Contemporary Perspectives of Education

ECE120

Creative Arts 1: Young Children and the Arts

ECE140

Curriculum 2: Planning and Assessment for Teaching and Learning

ECE112

Promoting Health, Wellbeing and Nutrition

ECE116

Partnerships with Families and Communities

ECE130

Professional Knowledge (0-2 Years)

ECP128

Year 2

Mathematical Learning in the Early Years

ECE211

Curriculum 3: Planning and Assessment for Teaching and Learning

ECE212

Science 1: Science and Environmental Awareness for Young Children

ECE220

Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood

ECE230

Creative Arts 2: Music and Visual Arts

ECE241

Understanding Early Reading Development

ECL101

Professional Practice 2 (3-5 Years)

ECP228

Australian Indigenous Education: Recognition, Relationships and Reconciliation

IND202

Year 3

Multiliterate Learners in Early Years and School Environments

ECE330

Supporting Emerging Mathematical Skills for Infants and Toddlers

ECE352

Protective Education and Child Well-Being

ECE360

Guiding Engaged, Resilient Learners

ECE370

Creative Learning Through the Arts

ECE340

Inquiry Into Science Curriculum

ECE380

Inclusive Education for Young Children

ECE404

Supporting Children Making Transitions

ECE420

Intakes by location

The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

Trimester 1 - March

Start date: March
Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)

Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can apply directly through the NIKERI Institute.

Additional course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing placements.

International students are required to study full-time to complete their course within the duration registered on CRICOS.

Mandatory student checks

Working with Children Check

Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) prior to undertaking professional experience placements in education settings, as part of this course. Learn more about Working with Children Checks.

Interstate applicants must check the requirements and meet all conditions for undertaking professional experience in schools for their state or territory before undertaking professional experience placements as part of this course.

The Working with Children Check (WWCC) and a Police Check are different checks. Under the Working with Children Act 2005 (the Act) if you are doing child-related work and are not exempt, you must have a Check even if you already have a Police Check.

The Police Check is not an assessment by a government agency. https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/organisations/victorian-teacher-information

Workload

Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period for each credit point undertaking required teaching, learning and assessment activities.

Participation requirements

Professional Experience Placements are a compulsory component of the course and a requirement for registration as a graduate teacher. Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

Students are required to check the placement calendars published on the Professional Experience Office website each year. Placement takes priority over employment and placement periods are generally block placements of 5 full time days per week over 2-5 weeks.

Course delivery is blended and students are required to dedicate time to weekly engagement with located or online teaching and learning activities and resources. This is recommended at combined total 8-10 hours per week per unit including active learning/engagement either face to face or online, and independent study.

Some units will require students to attend early childhood settings or institutions for site-based learning and teaching experiences. Some units will require students enrolled in online learning to attend on campus activities.

Work experience

Successful Applicants are required to hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) prior to undertaking professional experience placements in education settings, as part of this course. For more information see: https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

Students will satisfactorily complete 80-days of supervised professional experience placement in a wide range of education and care settings and a 5-day observational experience in infant and toddler education and care settings across their degree, as outlined below:

Year 1: 5-days in infant and toddler education and care settings (observational)

Year 2: 1 x 20 & 1 x 25 (45-days) in kindergarten settings

Year 3: 20-days in infant and toddler education and care settings, 15-days in kindergarten or foundation (primary school) settings

The School of Education Professional Experience Office makes all arrangements for students’ placements.

For further information contact the School of Education, Professional Experience office.

Entry requirements

Senior certificate of education

If you are currently studying Year 12 or completed Year 12 in the previous two years and have not attempted higher education or VET/Polytechnic study since, your selection is based on the following.

VCE Prerequisite subjects

Units 1 and 2: satisfactory completion in two units (any study combination) of Maths: General Mathematics, Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics or Units 3 and 4: any Mathematics; Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 35 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.

ATAR

This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.

Admissions information

Applicant indicator profile report of all applicants applying to Deakin University Undergraduate Teaching courses in Trimester 1, 2022.

International equivalent requirements

To view the international academic admission and English language requirements visit the International entry requirements page. If your course or country of origin is not listed please contact study@deakin.edu.au.

To submit an application please visit the how to apply page.

Higher education study

If you have undertaken at least one unit of higher education after secondary schooling, your selection is based on the following.

Education

This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies

All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.

Personal statement

All applicants who wish their motivation to teach; interpersonal and communication skills; any community experience or learning; personal strengths; and personal learning goals to be considered as part of the course application are required to complete the personal statement. Learn more about the personal statement.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

Applicants are required to complete a Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) Multiple Choice if you have:

not completed year 12 or equivalent or
a Certificate IV or higher

Learn more about the STAT.

Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.

Admissions information

Applicant indicator profile report of all applicants applying to Deakin University Undergraduate Teaching courses in Trimester 1, 2022.

International equivalent requirements

To submit an application please visit the how to apply page.

Polytechnic study

If you have undertaken at least one unit of Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, your selection is based on the following.

Education

This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies

All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.

Personal statement

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

Applicants are required to complete a Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) Multiple Choice if you have:

not completed year 12 or equivalent or
a Certificate IV or higher

Learn more about the STAT.

Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.

Admissions information

Applicant indicator profile report of all applicants applying to Deakin University Undergraduate Teaching courses in Trimester 1, 2022.

International equivalent requirements

To submit an application please visit the how to apply page.

Work and life experience

If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago or did not finish Year 12, your selection is based on the following.

Education

This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies

All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.

Personal statement

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

Applicants are required to complete a Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) Multiple Choice if you have:

not completed year 12 or equivalent or
a Certificate IV or higher

Learn more about the STAT.

Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.

Admissions information

Applicant indicator profile report of all applicants applying to Deakin University Undergraduate Teaching courses in Trimester 1, 2022.

International equivalent requirements

To submit an application please visit the how to apply page.

Online studies

Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.

However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.

Recognition of prior learning

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education provides an approved pathway from the Diploma of Early Childhood Education (Previously Diploma of Children’s Services) offered through TAFE. Applicants who have completed the Diploma of Early Childhood Education may receive 8 credit points of Recognition of Prior Learning, gaining entry into the course in the second year.

Fees and scholarships

Fee information

Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place

$32,200 for 1 yr full-time AUD
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.

The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in.

The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning you have.

Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for that course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.

Learn more about international student fees.

Apply now

Apply through VTAC and Deakin

International students who are currently completing an Australian Year 12 in Australia or overseas should apply through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), as well as directly to Deakin through StudyLink Connect – Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.

Apply Through VTAC

Apply through Deakin

All other international students apply directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.

Apply through StudyLink Connect

Deakin International office or Deakin representative

Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance

PDF Application form - 306 KB

Need more information on how to apply?

For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.

Entry pathways

Pathways for credit are available for this course. Details of institutional credit agreements are published in the RPL database. International students can apply for packaged offers for some of these pathways.

Applicants who have completed a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent) are eligible to receive 8 Credit Points, gaining entry into the course in the second year.

Careers

Career outcomes

There is an increasing demand for qualified early childhood teachers, with the workforce set to double in the next 10-years. Graduates are qualified to work in early childhood settings as early childhood teachers, educational leaders, coordinators or advisers. Graduates may also find employment opportunities in:

consultancy
NGOs
policy
research or community-based organisations (e.g. museums, outdoor education, arts institutions, etc)

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Professional recognition

This program is approved by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) as an early childhood teaching qualification in Australia. Graduates of this course will be eligible to register with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). Graduates who are intending to apply for registration interstate may be required to provide further information. Interstate applicants are advised to check the registration requirements in their state or territory carefully.

Course learning outcomes

Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Analyse and apply principles and practices relevant to curriculum, policy and regulations in early childhood and primary school education with in-depth knowledge and evaluation of theoretical underpinning.
Communication	Effectively evaluate and select communication skills (oral, written, digital and nonverbal) to professionally transmit knowledge and ideas with diverse individuals and groups (such as children, families, parents and caregivers, colleagues and other professionals, community organisations).
Digital literacy	Critically evaluate and apply a range of technologies to collect, analyse, synthesise, evaluate, generate and transmit information for the purposes of appropriate teaching and learning in a rapidly changing global environment.
Critical thinking	Analyse and evaluate contemporary issues, policies and research in educational and societal contexts to generate and transmit informed judgements to complex situations relating to teaching and learning.
Problem solving	Use analytical and practical skills to make well developed judgements, generate and transmit creative, innovative and authentic solutions to real-life and complex problems encountered when working with diverse individuals and groups (such as children, families, parents and caregivers, colleagues and other professionals, community organisations).
Self-management	Critically reflect on planning, problem-solving and decision making in teaching and learning contexts. Use initiative and autonomy to apply analytic knowledge and critical reflective skills to demonstrate responsibility for own learning and professional practice (and in collaboration with others).
Teamwork	Actively and collaboratively participate in learning communities, involving learners, families, community members, colleagues and the broader profession.
Global citizenship	Adapt and apply knowledge and skills that support the diversity of Australian society in the professional context. This includes influences of Indigenous and intercultural issues, family contexts, gender and disability on development, learning and teaching.
Approved by Faculty Board 2020